Traffic marker



J. D. BEEBE TRAFFIC MARKER March '12, 1940.

Filed July 23, 1938 LJbz /n 19255 Patented Mar. .12, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE TRAFFIC MARKER Application July 23, 1938, Serial No. 220,929 4 Claims. (01. 40-125) This invention relates to traffic markers and more particularly to markers adapted to be embedded in a pavement for defining lines of traffic, cross walks, and safety zones.

In order to insure visibility from a distance, it

has been proposed to provide markers projecting above the pavement and provided with reflective members adapted to reflect the rays of approaching vehicles. It has been found, however, that such projecting markers are often torn loose from the pavement by passing vehicles, street sweepers, and the like.

The chief objects of the present invention are to provide an improved marker resiliently cushioned against shocks, to provide for deflection of the marker below the surface of the pavement under traffic loads and automatic return of the marker, and to provide facility of installation and replacement, and simplicity and durability of construction.

These and other objects will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawing. i

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a trafiic marker corresponding to the invention mounted in a pavement, part of the pavement and part of the suspension member being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the same taken in a vertical plane.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral l designates a pavement, which may be, for example, of.

concrete or other monolithic material formed with a pocket or recess II. A band I2 of metal is embedded in the material of the pavement and reinforces the wall thereof. The band 12 is courlterbored adjacent the face of the pavement,

as at l3 to provide a shoulder'for supporting the marker above the floor of the pocket ll.

0 The marker illustrated includes a jewel housing which comprises a sheet metal stamping M of cupped form, having a downwardly turned margin 15 anda central domed portion l6 projecting above the face of the pavement and fitted with glass jewels l1, ll or other reflective bodies facing laterally in all directions. For holding the jewels l'l, I! in place the sheet metal stamping maybe provided with a plurality of sleeves 23, 23 projecting inwardly and terminating short 0 of one another to provide a central space for the reception of a tightly fitting block 24 of rubber to hold all the jewels in place, the latter bein retained at their outer ends by suitable shouldered connections with the stamping. Ramp- 5 like ribs l8 may extend from the margin to the ber.

rubber.

domed central portion to provide a less abrupt obstruction to passing vehicles.

To cushion the marker under the pressure of the wheels of vehicles which may contact with the marker, and to permit the marker to descend 5 into the recess ,upon contact with vehicles and return automatically upon release of the pressure, the marker is supported from the band l2 by an elastic annular member [9 of soft vulcanized rub- Preferably the rubber member I9 is bonded 10 by vulcanization to an outer ring 20, adapted to be seated in the counterbore of the ring l2, and an inner ring 21 counterbored to receive the marker.

Preferably the outer ring 20 is divided at one or more places 22 22, so as to be circumferentially discontinuous, and the rubber vulcanized to the ring with the ring portions held spaced apart somewhat so that upon assembly the ring portions may be moved toward eachother and so held in the band l2 against the resilient pressure of the This makes for greater strength of adhesion of the rubber to the metal rings, and it also serves to hold the marker in position in the band 12, the resilient pressure being applied ra- 25 dially outward. Replacement can be effected simply by prying or forcing the marker from its seat.

The marker is pressed into the ring 2| and the ring 20 is pressed into the ring 12 so as to maintain their positions frictionally but to make possible replacement. e

In use, the annular elastic ring l9 stretches under a trafic load by shear stress on the rubber and permits the marker to sink flush with the face of the pavement. After the vehicle wheel passes, the resilience of the annular ring immediately returns the marker to the elevated position.

marker element normally supported by said support so as to project above the face of the pavement, said support permitting the marker element to be depressed resiliently below the face thereof, and said support comprising a pair of spaced concentric frame members and an elastic While the marker has been shown in round form, markers of square, rectangular, or other rubber body therebetween and bonded thereto in a relation to accommodate the depressing movement by shear stress on the rubber.

2. A trafiic marker comprising a supporting structure adapted to be seated in a recess of a pavement, a marker structure within the supporting structure and spaced laterally therefrom, and a body of resilient rubber-like material interposed laterally between and secured to said structures, said body being secured by a vulcanized bond to a substantially vertical face of at least one of said structures and supporting said marker structure by shear stress of said material.

3. A traific marker comprising a supporting structure adapted to be seated in a recess of a pavement, a marker structure Withinthe supporting structure and spaced laterally therefrom, and

band by-shear stress on the rubber, said band being circumferentially discontinuous so that the marker may be mounted with the band and rub- 14 her held pressed toward said structure.

JOHN D. BEEBE. 

